Petunia plant named ‘Dancasblu’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Petunia  plant named ‘Dancasblu’ characterized by having dark violet-blue flower color; very floriferous and with a long blooming season; vigorous, cascading growth habit; good weather tolerance; and suitable for patios and outdoors bedding.

Botanical designation: Petunia sensu Wijsman.

Variety denomination: ‘Dancasblu’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant, botanically known as Petunia sensu Wijsman, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Dancasblu’.

The new cultivar originated from cross made in a controlled breeding program in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The female parent is a Petunia sensu Wijsman cultivar designated ‘CV-6544’ (unpatented). The male parent is a Petunia sensu Wijsman cultivar designated ‘CV-144’ (unpatented). ‘Dancasblu’ was discovered and selected by the Inventor, Gabriel Danziger, as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cutting of side shoots, was first performed February of 2003 in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘Dancasblu’ which in combination distinguish this Petunia as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Dark violet-blue flower color;     -   2. Very floriferous and with a long blooming season;     -   3. Vigorous, cascading growth habit;     -   4. Good weather tolerance; and     -   5. Suitable for patios and outdoors bedding.

Plants of ‘Dancasblu’ differ from plants of the parental cultivars, ‘CV-6544’ (unpatented) and ‘CV-144’ (unpatented) in the following characteristics:

TABLE 1 Female parent Male parent New Cultivar ‘CV-6544’ ‘CV-144’ Character ‘Dancasblu’ (unpatented) (unpatented) Flowering Medium, Late, Medium, time Summer Summer Summer Leaf size Large Medium Small Length: 4 cm Length: 3 cm Length: 2 cm Width: 2 to Width: 2 cm Width: 1.5 cm 3 cm Growth Vigorous, Vigorous, Mildly Vigorous, habit Well branched Well branched not well branched

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present Inventor, the most similar in comparison to ‘Dancasblu’ is the cultivar ‘Cascadias Improve Charley’ (unpatented). Plants of ‘Dancasblu’ differ from plant of ‘Cascadias Improve Charley’ in the following characteristics:

TABLE 2 New Cultivar Comparison Cultivar Character ‘Dancasblu’ ‘Cascadias Improve Charley’ Flowering time: Medium, Medium, Summer Summer Flower size: Large, Medium Diameter: 5 to 6 cm Diameter: 4 cm Depth: 2 to 3 cm Depth: 2 cm Growth habit: Vigorous, Vigorous, Mound Spreading

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Petunia cultivar ‘Dancasblu’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the color of ‘Dancasblu’.

The first photograph shows a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘Dancasblu’ in a hanging planter at 3 months of age.

The second photograph shows a close-up view of the typical flowers and leaves of ‘Dancasblu’ at 3 months of age.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

‘Dancasblu’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant. The following observations, measurements and values describe the new cultivar as grown in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, under conditions, which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

Plants of ‘Dancasblu’ are grown outdoors in a moderate climate, and grown indoors during the winter. Irrigation and fertilization are needed on a regular basis. For optimal growth, grow plants of ‘Dancasblu’ in full sunlight. Plants of ‘Dancasblu’ are fully grown in 3 months when grown in full sunlight, and bloom all year round in a moderate climate. ‘Dancasblu’ is used as a pot plant and bedding plant.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 2001 edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately 12:00 noon in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The age of the plant described is 3 months.

-   Parentage:     -   -   Male parent.—Petunia sensu Wijsman cultivar designated             ‘CV-144’ (unpatented).         -   Female parent.—Petunia sensu Wijsman cultivar designated             ‘CV-6544’ (unpatented). -   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Petunia sensu Wijsman.         -   Commercial.—Petunia cv. Petitunia Cascadias Blue. -   Propagation: Cutting of side shoots. -   Plant:     -   -   General appearance and form.—Height: 25 cm. Spread: 60 cm.         -   Growth habit.—Cascading bush.         -   Growth rate.—Fully grown plant in 3 months.         -   Branching habit and description.—Normal branching habit             typical to Petunia species.         -   Flowering response.—Long day facultative.         -   Flowering season.—All year round in moderate climate.         -   Winter hardiness/weather tolerance.—Frost tender. Plants may             be damaged by temp. below 5° C.         -   Lastingness of the individual bloom.—2 to 4 days.         -   Rooting habit.—From cutting base.         -   Time to initiate roots.—1 week.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—2 to 3 weeks.         -   Fragrance.—None. -   Stem description:     -   -   Length.—45 to 70 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.5 to 0.6 cm.         -   Strength.—Medium.         -   Branching.—Freely.         -   Pubescence.—Yes.         -   Internode length.—2.5 to 3.0 cm.         -   Stem and internode color.—Yellow-Green RHS 144 A. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Overall shape of leaf.—Elliptic.         -   Apex.—Obtuse.         -   Base.—Acute.         -   Length.—4 cm.         -   Width.—2 to 3 cm.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Lustrous.         -   Color of upper surface.—Mature leaf: Yellow-Green, RHS             147 A. Immature leaf: Yellow-Green, RHS 146 A.         -   Color of lower surface.—Mature leaf: Yellow-Green, RHS             146 A. Immature leaf: Yellow-Green, RHS 146 A.         -   Venation color.—Upper surface: Yellow-Green, RHS 144C. Lower             surface: Yellow-Green, RHS 144C.         -   Petiole.—Length: 1 cm. Diameter: 0.4 cm. Color:             Yellow-Green, RHS 144C. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Flower longevity.—2 to 4 days.         -   Flower size.—Diameter: 5 to 6 cm. Depth: 2 to 3 cm.         -   Floral tube.—Diameter: 0.7 to 1.0 cm at the corolla surface.         -   Flower shape/type.—Trumpet.         -   Average number of flowers per lateral branch.—6 to 8.         -   Petals.—Number: 5; (all the 5 petals are united). Length: 4             to 5 cm (length from the edge of the petal up to the base of             the floral tube). Width: 5 cm across. Shape: Corolla united             with 5 lobes and a long straight tube. Apex: Truncate.             Margin: Entire. Texture: Glabrous. Color: Upper surface:             Violet-blue group, RHS N89 A. Lower surface: Violet-blue             group, RHS N89-D.         -   Sepals.—Number: 5. Length: 2 to 3 cm. Width: 0.8 to 1.0 cm.             Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Truncate. Margin: Entire. Texture:             Lustrous. Color: Upper surface: Green, RHS 137 A. Lower             surface: Green, RHS 137 B.         -   Bud.—Rate of opening: 7 to 10 days. Color: Greyed-Purple,             RHS N186-B. Shape: Tubular. Length: 2 to 3 cm. Diameter: 0.2             to 1.0 cm.         -   Peduncle.—Color: Green, RHS 137 B. Length: 1 to 2 cm. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—Stamen: Number: 5. Color: Violet Group, RHS             N87 C. Anthers: Color: Violet Group, RHS N88 B. Filament:             Color: Violet Group, RHS N87 C. Pollen: Color: Violet Group,             RHS N88 A.         -   Gynoecium.—Stigma: Color: Yellow-Green, RHS 146 C. Ovary:             Color: Yellow-Green, RHS 146.         -   Seed.—Number: 40 to 50. Width: 1 mm. Length: 1 mm. Shape:             Ovoid. Color: Brown, RHS 200 C.         -   Fruit.—Number: Few, when naturally pollinated. Width: 4 mm.             Length: 8 mm. Shape: Ellipsoid. Color: Grey-Brown, RHS 199             A. -   Disease/pest resistance: No information currently available. -   Disease/pest susceptibility: No information currently available. 

1. A new and distinct Petunia plant named ‘Dancasblu’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 